Saffron and its effects on the nervous system
What it found
Saffron and its active compounds showed brain-protecting, anxiety-reducing, and memory-improving effects in lab and human studies.
Some of these compounds can cross into the brain.
What they found
Studies in people and animals
Reaching the brain
Some active parts of saffron are easily absorbed by the body. They can also pass through the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain.
Brain and mood effects
Lab and human studies found that saffron and its compounds, such as safranal, crocin, and picrocrocin, protect the brain. They also reduced anxiety, lifted mood, and improved learning and memory.
Other findings
Active plant chemicals
Saffron contains several active compounds including apocarotenoids, monoterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and phytosterols. These have been studied widely in both lab and human research.
What the authors conclude
- They suggest saffron and its active compounds could be useful ingredients for making medicines that target nervous system disorders.
How it was done
Saffron has long been used as a medicine in Chinese, Ayurvedic, Persian, and Unani traditions. Scientists wanted to gather what is known about its active parts and how they affect the brain.
The authors gathered and examined existing lab and human studies on saffron. They looked at its plant chemicals, how well the body absorbs them, and their effects on nervous system conditions. The abstract does not state how many studies were included or how long they lasted.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This work gathers past studies rather than testing saffron directly, so it cannot prove cause and effect on its own.
- Lab results in animals or cells do not always match what happens when people eat saffron.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Al Ain University, United Arab Emirates; University of Swabi, Pakistan; The University of Lahore, Pakistan
The paper
- Title
- Nutritional and health beneficial properties of saffron ( Crocus sativus L): a comprehensive review
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Abu-Izneid T, Rauf A, Khalil AA, et al (2022). Nutritional and health beneficial properties of saffron ( Crocus sativus L): a comprehensive review. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. doi:10.1080/10408398.2020.1857682PubMed 33327732DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error